Pneumatic action for mechanical musical instruments.



Nm 826,833, v PATENTED JULY 24, 1906. W, F. COOPER. Y PNEUMATIC AGTIGN PoR- MEG-HANIGAL MUSOAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIATION FILED JUNE 10.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WqI'. COOPER.. PNEUMATIO ACTION I'OR MECHANICAL MUSICAL APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10.1905.

INSTRUMENTS.

QN N NN PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

To .f7/.ZZ whom, t may concern,.-`

UNITED sri/rifas redimir armoe.

wiLLiAi/i s. COOPER; or NORWALK, OHIO, .issieiion or ONnHALnTO THE A. n voiiasii oo., or ivoi'nivALK,oiiio,v A eoiirORArioN or oiiiO.

PNEuivim-io AojrioN Fon. MEoHANloAi.- MUSICAL 'INSTRUMENTS.

Speeication of Lette-rs Patent.

Patenteauuly 24. 190e'.

Anuman eine Jima 10.1905. sain no. 2611.674.

Beit known that I, WILLIAM F. Coornn, a,

citizen of the United States of America, .ref-

siding at Norwalk", in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have'invented certain new and useful lmprovementsin lPneumatic Ac'- tions for Mechanical MusicalInstruments, of which the following is a specification,- reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings. i This invention has relationjto pneumatic I actions for mechanical musical instruments, and has for its obJect to provide novel means whereby the o eration ofthe pneumatics or' small bellows' y means of which the movement -of. the sound-producingdevices is effected will be rendered certain, rapid, strong, and otherwise effective fory the intended purose..

A further object of my invention is to simnlii'y vthe construction and reduce the num fber of parts heretofore considered necessaryv 4in apparatus of this character.

1 A Sau further Object of myiavenaon a to -so construct apparatus relating tothe pneu'- matic appliances of mechanical musical instruments as to render all'parts of the same easyof access, so as to facilitate cleaning, regveloped in the course of describing the same;

"and my invention consists inthe novel con@ ulation, and necessary repairs.`

" Other objects of vmy invention will be destruction combination and arran ement of My presentinvention parts* hereinafter described, and speciiically' set forth inthe claims.

desi 'ned for application to that class of `mec anical musical instruments in which stretched wires are struckby hammers that are actuated by small bellows and in which the bellows are caused to operate by means of suctionl and atmospheric pressure, governed and controlled in their operation upon y the bellows by a moving strip of perforated paper; butit will be obvious to those skilled in the art that thedevices hereinafter described are applicable without material change in construction or mode of o eration to musical'instruments of other c aracter than that above referred tof-suchffor instance, as melodions, organs, and other keyed wind instruments.

My 'improvements areillu's'trated in the achaslbeen particularly' companying' drawings, to which Iwill now refer, and inthe l'several figures `of which 'like p Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken throughthe rimary board, thev pneumaticeboard, the va ve-board, and one of the fore' re erred to. Fig. 2 is .afront view of a portion ofthe valve-board. Fi 3 is a transverse-sectional view of the'va ve-boa'rd on the line :r x of Fig. 2 lookinginthe direction of the arrow A, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of one ofthe valves detached from the valveboard.

The pneumatic-board, the valve-board', and the primary .board are in my improvement 'composed of. relatively vlonl and narj row sections of wood formed with a arge numin two rows'uplon the back ofthe neumaticboard.- In t e drawings, 1 designates the numerals designate corresponding parts, `and a spring that tends to Open the same, these jvpneumatics, as theywili. be hereinaftertermed, beingarranged in regular order andneumatics orsmall bellows hereinbev pneumaticfboard, -2 the valve-board, ,and

being arranged in the order ust mentioned, one in' front of the other with Vtheir abutting surfaces in air-tight contact and. being secured Atogether by -boltsv4 4, which carry thumb-nuts 5 5 on their outer ends;

`plurality of pneumatics 6 are arranged in two rows, one row over the other, but with the' to the pneumatics of the other row, the neu- Vmatics being secured to the pneumatiooard in any Isuitable manner, but referably by means of small screws 7, eo t at the pnew' matics may be, if desired, each separately removed from the pneumatic-board. The valve-board 2 is lsecured u on thev front or face of the neumatic-boar by means of thev bolts 4, andp the valve-board is formed with a main channel 8 in its outer face, which channel is'a 'rectangular recess that extends from near one end to near the otherend and from near one side .to near theotlier side. of the valve-board and which' is in communication lriyaport with suitable sncticn' apparatus the primary board, these principal parts Upon the back of the pneumatic-board -1 a` v 9 0 pneumatics of one row .in staggered relation' ICO p cess 15.

`is oil its seat-rests when the devices which constitute my improvement are placed in position in a mechanical musical instrument.

The construction and operation of the suction apparatus which is used in connection with my improvement are not shown in the drawings and need not be described, as they are well known to those skilled in the art.

The valve-board 2 is provided with valvechambers 10, terminating in valve-seats 11, these chambers being arranged in two parallel rows, one over the other, but with the chambers of one row in staggered position relatively to the chambers of the other row, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of thedrawings.

The pneumatic-board 1 is formed with valve-chambers 13, equal in number to the valve-chambers, 10 of the valve-board 2 and similarly disposed, so that each valve-chamber in the valve-board will be when the parts are joined together in communication with the similarly-positioned chamber in the pneumatic-board. rPhe valve-chambers 13 in the pneumaticeboard are in communication each with the interior of one ofthe pneumatics 6'by a port 14, and each'chamber 13 is also in communication with the outer air through a recess 15 and a slit or saw-kerf 16, extending from the outer end of the bottom board.17 of the pneumatic and into the re- The valve-chambers 10 in the are each provided with two spiders 18 18, and in the spiders of each chamber is mounted a valve-rod 19, this valve-rod extending completely through the valvefboard and into the' recess 15 in the pneumatic-board- Each rod 19 carries two valves 20 and21 and a head 22, `the end of the valve-rod which extends into the pneumatic-board being threaded, as shown at 23 in Fig. 4, and the valves 2O and 21 being held in 'lixed position on the valverod, the one-that is,the valve 20-by a nut 24 and the other, the valve 21, by screwing it onto vthe valve-rod, the riction between the parts being suflicient tomaintain the valves at the position to which they may be adjusted on the valve-stem- The valve 21 seats on the face of the bot-J tom board .17 of the pneumatic 6 and serves at a certain position of the valve-rod to close the recess 15 against the passage of air from outside through the kerl or slit 16 and at another position of parts is moved out of contact with the bottom board or" the pneumatic and permits of the entrance of air through the slit or kerf 16 into the valve-chamber 13' and thence through the port 14 into the inte- .rior of the pneumatic 6.

The valve 20 at one position of the valvestem--that is, the

position when the valve 21 the valve-chamber 1() and shuts off communication between the valve-chamber '13 and forated paper,

valve-b card on the valve-seat 11 of senese said valve-chamber 10, and in another' posi tion ot-parts-that is, when the valve 21 is seated on the bottom board 17 of the pneumatic and is'closing the recess 15e-the valve 20 is lifted `from its scat and alords communication between the chambers 10' and 13.

The primaryv 3 is provided with a number of verticaliy-disp'osed channels 25 equal to the whole number of valve-chambers 10 in the valve-board, and each channel 25 has a horizontal branch in its upper end, these branches registering with an equal number of horizontal ports 26 in a horizontally-disposed board 27, that .is a portion of or an adjunct of the pneumatic-board and may be formed in-` tegral with or attached thereto, as desired. The ports 26 are each formed with a vertical branch 28, and with the vertical branches 28 ducts 29 are connected, theseducts leading to the tracker-bar of a tracker-box, by means of which communication with the outer air may be afforded with each of the ducts 29 separately, simultaneously, or in any required sets of groups through the medium of a traveling sheet of perforated paper.

The tracker-bar, the traveling sheet of perand the mechanism for actuating the same are well-known and understood adjuncts of apparatus of this character, and I have not shown and need not describe the same, as their function and operation is well understood and, solar as the operation of my present improvement is concerned, involves merely the successive opening and closing of the terminals of the ducts 29.

The inner face of the primary board 3 is provided with a plurality of circular recesses 30, arranged in similar manner to the valve-chambers 10 in the valveboard, one of said recesses being located opposite each of said valve-chambers. Each recess 30 is in communication with one of the channels 25 by a port 31, and each recess 30 is covered by a diaphragm 32, that is fastened at its edges to the inner face of the primary board an is free to move at its center. The head 22 of 4each ofthe valve-rods 19 bears. against one of thesediaphravms 32, and consequently the movement of t e diaphragm in one direction will be imparted to the valve-stem, and vice versa. At the lower end of each ofthe channels 25 a bleed7 or very smal-l port 33 is provided that leads from the channel 3 into the channel 8, and the size of the opening through this bleed or port is regulated by means of a IOO The parts' being constructed in the abovei described manner are operated as follows: Under normal 'ope ating conditions and until one or mere oit the pneumaticsis to be throwninto active condition the'parts are in a position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings', and while in this position a partial vacuum is constantly maintained in the channel 8in all the valve-chambers 10 of the valve-'board and in all of the channels 25, the communication of' the channels 2 5 with the open air throu h the ducts 29 being, it is understood,

keifs 16,v the -pneumatics bein *then held open by means of springs 35. ile I have spoken of a vacuum as existing in the channel 8 and the channels and ports commun-i-l eating therewith, it Willbe understood that this term is used in a relative sense to indi-,

' cate a difference in pressure between that of immediatelytherbafter cause the valve 21 to the outer air and that existing in the channel 8. In the position of parts above described the valve 2O is heldto its seat by the pressure ofair in the chamber 13, which is of course the same as that ofthe outer ain-and the diaphra m 32 is projected into the-recess 30." If

now y reason of the movement ofthe paper strip hereinbefore referred to air is ermitted to enter one of the ducts 29, a di erence in pressure will be immediately established between the air in channel 8 andthe air in the particular channel 25, to which air has been admitted.: The result of admitting air into the channel v25 is that the diaphragm 32 will .be forced outwardly from the recess 30 and will impel the valve-stem 19 longitudinally andl cause the valve 22' to. leave its seat vand seat over the recess 15. The seating of the valve 21v over the recess 15 cuts oicommunication between the penumatic and the open air, and the unseating of valve 2,0 places the interior of the pneumatic in communication with channel 8, and the. suction created in channel 8 by the suction apparatus Will exhaust the air' from Withinthe pneumatic,. which will thereupon close under the atmospheric pressure on the outside of the same,

' thereby through the closing movement actuating a hammer that belon s tothe particular pneumatic which has een thrown into o eration and soundin a tone. As soon as t e passa e of the air t rough1the articular duct 29 w ich has been opened is siiut on? by thel movement of the traveling stripv of paper the suction in the 'channel'. 8 begins to exhaust theair from 'the channelv 25, and as soon as the equilibrium of pressure is restablished between channels '8 and 25k the valve 20 will be reseated and the valve 21 unseated,- the reverse movement 4of the diaphragm 32 necessary to this operation being effected by the pressure of the'airon the ou'ter face of valve 21 and to some extent by the friction of the air iiowingpast the edges of,

valve 20.

Having describedmy invention, I claim- 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pneumatic-board, a plurality of pneumatics attached to said board, and arranged in' two rows, the pneumatics of one row being in staggered relation to the pneumatics of the other row, said pneumaticboard being formed with a plurality of valve-l chambers each communicating with one of the pneumatics and each communicating with the outer air, a valve-board securedto the pneumaticboard and provided with a channel, a plurality of valve-chambers registering with the valve-chambers of the pneumatic-board and communicating there-` with and .'With said l channels, a primary `board formed with a plurality of ducts equal in number to the valve-chambers of the valve-board, each said duct being-connected by av separate conduit to means for opening connection between the ducts of the-primary boardv and the open air and each duct in the primary board being Kformed with a bleed leading into the channel of the valve-board and with means lfor regulating the capacity of said bleed, said means, said primary board being formed with a plurality of recesses equal. to the number of valve-chambers'in 'the valve-board, said recesses each communicatin with one of the'ducts .in the primary boar a diaphragm arranged over each said recess in the` primary board, a valve-rod arranged in each valve-chamber "of the valve-board and extending through each valve-chamber of the pneumatic-board,

two valves carried by each said valve-rod, said valves being so disposed4 on the valverod as to alternately open and close, one the communication between the valve-chambers in the pneumatic-board and the valve-board, and the otherthe communication between the chamber in the pneumatic-board and the openair.

2. In an apparatus of the character de` scribed, the combination of a Apneumaticboard formed with a plurality of valve-chambers7 a, plurality of pneumatics attached to saidl board, each pneumatic being formed with a recess communicating with one of the valve-chambers in the pneumatic-board, and with an air-inlet leading from the said recess to the o en air, and eachpneumatic being provide with a port leading from the interior of the pneumatic to the said valve-chamber, a valve-board attached tol said pneumatic-board and provided with a plurality of valve-chambers, each communicating with one of the valve-chambers in the pneumaticboard, a plurality, of valve-rods each ex-,

ITO

tending through -the valve-chambers in the valve-board and the pneumatic-board, and

the pneumatic-board and the recess in the pneumatic.

3`. In an apparatus of the character deseribecL, the combination of a pneumaticbeasel, a Valve-board', and a" primary board aafranged injuxtiapesition and secured: t0-

ether, said' pneumaiiie-beard and said valvee'ard beingfermed with a plurality of regiseerin valve-chambers and' saidv primary bear beingermed with ak plurality `of duets, and a plurality of Iieeesses,. eaeb recess -esrnmuinieaitiingv withI one ef saidy duets, a

diaphragm aI-'ranffed' overeaeli' said recess, a valve-red extending 'through' eaclr chamber inf the val-'ye-board, and bearingA against the diaplragnr opposite saidv ehamber, avalve carried by each' valve-rodanel governing the pas-sage ef airlieni the-chamber in the pneumatic-beard' te the chamber in the-valvebeard and pneumafoiesrneunteelA on the bask ef said: pneumatic-boaid-l eaelr pneumatic being in communie/atienwiiih 'one efbbs chambers in` the pneumatic-board.

4. In an` apparatus ai* the Character described, the eombinatien' ef'a pneumaticbeard; pneumaties attached bo said: board, yalve-ehambers1 therein, a' valve-beard baving Valve-chambers registering with lille valve-chambers in the pneumatic-beard, and? a channel in communication With said valve-chambers, the yalVe-chambers-in the pneumatic-board bein in communication withl @he interior of the pneumaies and with bheopenI airy 117W@ valves'arr-anged and adapted bo' alternately @lese the eornmunieaoien between #be valve-chamber' inthe pneumatie-board' and the vallVe-e 'amber' in the valve-board and a passage leading' from the valve-Chamber in the pueuinatie-beard 17e the open air, and inea-ns arranged adjacent elle channel in the Valve-beard and arlapted to be Operated by Variations of air-pressure to niovesaid valves.

5. In an apparatus ef the character described the combination with a plurality 0i pneuinaicsI a pneumatic-board, on which said pneuinatiesare inoliniiell, said Apneumatic-boardA being provided-'With chambers in connnunieaticm with the interiors of the pneuniaties and. with the open air, a valveboard having aI plurality ef Chambers coinmunieating with Ulie Chambers in tile pneuniatiebeard and having a channel, a primary beard buying a plurality of duets and a recess Communicating wtl eaeli duet, a diaphragm severing eaeli saiil reeess, and means whereby when different degrees .of pressure are established in the channel in the valve-board and che duets in 'the primary board communicatieny between the Chamber in the pneumatic-board and' the open a-ir will be eut oil and eommuniea-tion between the chambers in the pneumaticboard andv the channel in the valve-beard will be simultaneously established;

6. In apparatus of tbe character fleseriberl,

the Combina-tien efa pneumatic-beard, an outwardly-extending'portion' carried by said pneumatic-board; and lia-ving a plurality oi' ports', a Valve-board arranged'- on the face of the pneumatic-boarcibelow said pinjeeting portieri', a primarybeard arrangedy in een tact Wit-li the Valve-board and in Contact with said projecting portion. f

In testimony wher-@eff aiiix 'mysignature in the presence of twonwianesses.

llVILILiL/ilvlV F. COOPER. Witnesses: l

Jos. B: GeNNonLY, L. L. Donn; 

